ISSN0248-076X FISHERIES Newsletter
M Ml'.l K"l IN THIS ISSUE HI llil'.l I! -hi i I Mill U Mill
SPC ACTIVITES Page 2
NEWS FROM IN AND AROUND THE REGION Page 14
ABSTRACTS AND REVIEWS Page 24
WESTERN PACIFIC TUNA STOCKS —A STATUS REPORT Page 26 by A.D. Lewis
A STUDY OF THE FISHERY AND BIOLOGY OF Page 30 BERYX SPLENDENS (ALFONSIN) IN NEW CALEDONIA by P. Lehodey and R. Grandperrln
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The Fisheries Training Section is now involved with a major safety-at-sea awareness programme
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South Pacific Commission Prepared by the Fisheries Programme Information Section Printed with financial assistance from the Government of France SPC ACTIVITIES
• INFORMATION SECTION Seventh PIMRIS Steering Committee Meeting held in Suva
The Seventh Pacific Islands dian Ocean Resources Associ MO ANA is now an active part Marine Resources Information ates Inc. (CORA), executive of PIMRIS regional activities System (PIMRIS) Steering Com agency for the Canadian Inter with regards to marine andfish- mittee Meeting was held at the national Development Agency eries-related fields. University of the South Pacific (CIDA). in Suva, Fiji, from 1 to 2 Decem Once again one of the major ber 1994. This meeting usually Speaking at the opening of the concerns to participants was the takes place before the SPC Re meeting, USP Pro Vice-Chan continuation of the PIMRIS gional Technical Meeting on cellor, Dr Vijay Naidu, stressed Coordination Unit. The funding Fisheries (RTMF). Due to finan that it was important for the agency CIDA, through its ex cial constraints, the RTMF is University to make a major com ecuting body, CORA, has ex now held every two years and, mitment towards PIMRIS as it tended the period of operation subsequently, the PIMRIS was an essential source of infor of PIMRIS using unspent funds. Steering Committee Meeting mation for effective planning These funds will expire in Au had to be rescheduled. and management of marine gust 1995. The meeting's gen resources. He also highlighted eral feeling was that the needs This year's meeting was at the importance of sharing the of PTMRIS should be defined in tended by participants from information in the region. detail, that a more pro-active Kiribati, Tuvalu and Western attitude should be taken to Samoa. Participating agencies The second address was deliv wards the need for funding, (FFA, SOPAC, SPC, USP, and, ered by the University librar and that this should include as for the first time, SPREP) were ian, Ms Carol Mills. She empha many different strategies as also represented, as well as a sised the need for the MOAN A possible for approaching poten representative from the Cana database to be maintained. tial donors, including:
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Make no mistake! The SPC Fisheries Information Adviser Jean-Paul Gaudechoux is not sleeping. He is just gathering his thoughts before delivering his speech.
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 SPC ACTIVITIES
us- linking PIMRIS formally is* An approach for 'market The venue for the next PIMRIS with the Canadian South ing' the various activities of Steering Committee Meeting Pacific Ocean Develop PIMRIS to facilitate pos was decided: Suva (November- ment Programme (phase sible cost-sharing amongst December 1995). The meeting H) funding proposal; donor agencies. asked the Coordination Unit to make efforts to get more Pacific us* Absorption of the Coordi Another issue discussed during Islands fisheries officers to at nation Unit by the USP Li the meeting was the venue of a tend. y^k brary (reservations, how probable PIMRIS workshop in ever, were expressed re 1995. The aim of the workshop garding the lack of re is to train people in basic infor sources and funding in the mation management skills. The library); tiaining will include an intro PIMRIS duction to computers and CDS- us- Turning PIMRIS into an ISIS. The venue of the work Aquatic Sciences and Fish shop will be USP, Suva, subject eries Abstracts (ASFA) in to availability of funds. put centre, which could generate some funds; and
Participants at the Seventh PIMRIS Steering Committee Meeting
PNG DFMR Librarian attached to the Section
Following an official approach The purpose of the attachment The Fisheries Information Ad from the Government of Papua was to initiate the publication viser provided practical train New Guinea, Henry Yule, li by DFMR of a fisheries newslet ing in information gathering brarian of the Department of ter, and to train Henry in infor and compilation of newsletters, Fisheries and Marine Resources mation searching, collection distribution techniques (e.g. (DFMR), was attached to the techniques and arrangements mailing list) and gave Henry an Section from 24 October to 18 in the SPC library, in order to introduction to desktop pub November 1994 enhance the DFMR library. lishing software, as well as re
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 SPC ACTIVITIES
fresher training in word-pro alone networks of other librar the main objectives of the Infor cessing techniques. Henry was ies and information centres, mation Section is to coordinate then able to participate in the using the CDS/ISIS software. and oversee the training of fish production of the SPC Fisheries eries officers in the region in all Newsletter. Overall this attachment was aspects of information gather very successful. Henry has wid ing and dissemination through The library provided training in ened his abilities and acquired attachments to SPC. >*v library administration. Henry the knowledge necessary to searched for information in the publish a fisheries newsletter library collection and in stand- within his Department. One of
• RESOURCE ASSESSMENT SECTION Forthcoming Regional Workshop on Coastal Fisheries Management
The South Pacific Commission or expertise relating to tropical The workshop will also give and the Forum Fisheries Agency fisheries management will also participants a chance to ex will convene a Workshop on be invited to participate. change views and share expe Coastal Fisheries Management riences of managing coastal in the South Pacific later this This workshop is intended to marine resources in their re year. The venue will be the Fo set priorities and highlight spective countries. The report of rum Secretariat conference cen those countries in the region the meeting will include the tre in Suva, and the meeting will where fisheries management is record of discussions and rec be held over two weeks, be required. This will assist the ommendations arising there tween 26 June and 7 July. recently established Integrated from, and the various papers Coastal Fisheries Management presented at the meeting will be It is hoped that fisheries officers Project (ICFMP) in setting objec edited and published in the and scientists from all the tives for the future, which in ICFMP technical paper series. Commission's member coun cludes assisting member coun tries will be able to attend the tries to formulate management workshop. Other speakers who strategies for coastal fisheries have experience of coastal fish resources. eries management in the region
• CAPTURE SECTION Second SPC Sub-regional FAD Skills Workshop held in Palau
Some Micronesian chief fisher Tuvalu gathered in Koror over Like the first FAD workshop ies officers are likely to be be two weeks to participate in the held in American Samoa, this sieged with purchase requests workshop, the second of its workshop was arranged to co for deep-water echo-sounders kind organised under SPC's incide with a local FAD deploy and GPS navigation units, UNDP-funded Offshore Fisher ment programme for which the along with FAD material or ies Development Project. The SPC Fisheries Capture Section's ders, following the Second SPC FAD officers participated in technical assistance had been Sub-regional FAD Skills Work theoretical and practical train sought. In this way the Section shop held in Palau in late Octo ing, both on shore and at sea, in was able to provide training ber. all the physical skills required under actual field conditions for successful FAD deploy and simultaneously answer Twelve fisheries officers re ment. The training covered: site Palau's need for FAD assist sponsible for domestic FAD survey by echo-sounding and ance. Palau's Marine Resources programmes, from the Feder the use of GPS navigation Division hosted the workshop ated States of Micronesia (Yap, equipment; site selection; moor and provided the survey and Pohnpei and Kosrae), Guam, ing design; mooring and raft deployment vessel and FAD Kiribati, Nauru, the Northern rigging and construction; and materials. Mariana Islands, Palau and deployment techniques. D SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 SPC ACTIVITIES
The workshop was supervised indicated that, while all partici Through these two workshops by SPC Masterfisherman Peter pants had acquired new skills the Capture Section has now Watt, assisted by Sifa Fukofuka and understanding of FAD pro provided practical FAD train on attachment to SPC from the cesses, there was likely to be ing for 26 officers from 16 coun Cook Islands Ministry of Ma need for follow-up support for tries. Indications are that the rine Resources, consultant those officers with less experi workshops have played a use Masterfisherman Steve Beverly, ence. ful role in raising awareness of and SPC's newly-appointed sound FAD technology and Fisheries Development Officer, By the participants' own rating, practice and that, combined Satalaka Petaia. the workshop's main achieve with the wide adoption of tech ment was that it made them nical advances in FAD moor Assessment of the workshop's aware of the need to conduct ings and rafts developed by impact by way of a set of prac FAD site surveys prior to moor SPC, and some ongoing sup tical exercises at its conclusion ing calculation and deployment port, regional FAD use is likely and gave them practical train- to enjoy increasing success. ingin the use of GPS navigation units and deep-water echo- As it is unlikely that a third FAD sounders. There was general Skills Workshop can be con agreement that the use of this vened it is hoped that the needs equipment made bottom sur of the few countries which have vey work both easy and accu not been able to participate in rate, and that the cost of such this ixaining programme can be equipment was a good invest assisted by attachment ixaining ment when compared to the or, in some cases, the assign cost of even one FAD lost ment of SPC technicians. through inaccurate survey.
Palau prepares its new fishing vessel for longlining trials
Immediately following the con of framing and research appli finder, and digital water-tem clusion of the Koror FAD Skills cations. perature gauge. Workshop, SPC consultant Masterfisherman Steve Beverly, Ekcliil is a Yamaha, fibre-rein- The main engine is equipped an experienced commercial forced-plastic, forward-house with a power take-off (PTO) tuna longline fisherman, stayed design with a large covered that operates an anchor capstan, on for two weeks at Palau's re afterdeck. Principal characteris a vertical longline hauler and a quest to assist the Marine Re tics include the following: Lindgren-Pitman 27 in x 30 in sources Division (MRD) in fit length overall, 14.8 m; breadth (68.6 cm x 76.2 cm) mono-fila ting out and establishing a tuna overall, 3.4 m; depth overall, ment longline drum. The reel is longline fishing system on its 1.9 m; gross tonnage, 17.0 ; mounted just aft of the wheel- new fishing vessel, F/V Elechil. propulsion, 165 hp 2000 rpm, house on the port side athwart- 4-cycle Yanmar diesel; speed, 10 ships. It is loaded with 5 miles The Elechil (Palauan for 'baby knots; complement, 5 crew; ice of 3.3 mm monofilament. Two hold, 1.2 m3; insulated fish whale') was donated by the 3 aluminum blocks for hauling Government of Japan and since holds, 2.5 m ; fuel oil, 25001; and and setting the longline were its arrival in early 1994 has been fresh water, 5001. Elecltil has a supplied with the reel. used in a small-scale coastal large, flat afterdeck with flush fisheries development pro hatches, and an ample seawa- Additional fishing gear on gramme sponsored by Japan's ter pump with a deck wash- board includes five electric Overseas Fishery Cooperation down hose. deep-bottom fishing reels and Foundation. SPC Masterfisher two fibreglass trolling poles. man Peter Watt had previously Wheelhouse electronics pro The deep-bottom reels are pow assisted MRD in specifying vided with the vessel include ered by 24 volt direct current gear and deck machinery for Furuno radar, SSB radio, VHF and can be dismounted. the vessel to ensure that it could radio, colour video sounder, be used successfully in a range GPS navigator, radio direction-
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 SPC ACTIVITIES
After inspection of the vessel, to establish setting and hauling ments and operational aspects deck machinery and fishing systems for the longline and to of longline fishing. MRD now gear stocks, Steve Beverly was provide MRD with recommen intends to commence tuna able to work with Elechil's crew dations relating to gear require- longlining trials early in 1995.
Elechil, Palau's new fishing vessel, showing the nylon monofilament longline hauling drum and the flush deck which were specified for tuna fishing trials
• POST-HARVEST SECTION Beche-de-mer poster and handbook now available
Following a request made some The poster is principally aimed Because inspection of beche-de- years ago by the Papua New at fisheries inspectors and other mer happens after processing, Guinea Department of Fisheries fisheries officers, and is in- the poster features photographs and Marine Resources, the South tended to help them identify sea of finished products, as well as Pacific Commission has pro- cucmbers correctly down to pictures of the live animal, for duced a poster on sea cucum- species level, in order to im- each species. bers and beche-de-mer species, prove export statistics on this group of animals. Very often The South Pacific Commission's Although compiled in response there is much mixing and most Post-Harvest Section has also to a request from PNG, this beche-de-mer exports are not just released a revised edition of poster is likely to be of interest classified by species. This Beche-de-mer of the tropical Pacific, to fisheries officers, traders and makes it difficult for fisheries entitled Sea cucumbers and beche- those involved in marine re- research staff, who are expected de-mer of the tropical Pacific — a source education in all Pacific to provide advice to the govern- handbook for fishers. Islands countries, especially ment on management of the those with large sea cucumber fishery, to understand how fisheries. heavily the various different sea cucumber species are being ex ploited. D SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 SPC ACTIVITIES
This edition was prepared by keting sections were made by of Pacific Island countries, is set Dr Chantal Conand, now of the the SPC Post-Harvest Fisheries out in detail. The section on Universite de la Reunion (Dr Adviser. marketing has been rewritten Conand is also the technical and the list of beche-de-mer coordinator of the Beche-de- In this edition one species of no buyers updated. Lastly a short mer Special Interest Group). commercial value has been re bibliography has been added Recent data on the biology of placed by a low-value species, for readers wishing to explore these species and their commer and an estimate of the average the subject further. cial value, acquired in the density of each species in its course of a study carried out by marine habitat included. The For more details on the poster ORSTOM (Noumea Centre), processing method for sand- and handbook, please contact enabled the text to be updated. fish, which has become one of the SPC Post-Harvest Fisheries Further improvements to the the most valued products and Adviser. processing, packaging and mar is now exported from a number *>
• TRAINING SECTION Video on sashimi-quality tuna shot in New Caledonia
At 11 p.m. on Monday 12 De The longline was set between 3 They knew this area like the cember, the DarMad sailed out and 5 a.m. the following morn back of their hand and had al of Noumea for a one-day drift ing 10 miles offshore from the ready brought home some fine longlming trip. On board this Dumbea pass in dull weather catches with their longline. Jeff ship, which is run by the New and heavy seas. Two hundred Huglo, the Imagin Video Pro Caledonian Maritime Affairs hooks baited with squid or big duction Company's camera Service, was a team of six single- sardines were connected to the man, was a little less optimistic minded people anxious to catch kuralon Japanese main line. because of the unfavourable sea at least one living yellowfin or Despite the limited number of conditions and rainy weather bigeye tuna so as to be able to hooks set, AymericDesurmont which promised to make shoot shoot a training video about the and Philip Simoni, the New ing difficult. various stages of onboard pro Caledonian masterfishermen, cessing of sashimi-quality tuna. did not lose faith.
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 SPC ACTIVITIES
After an interlude for the sam the top of the head and then CPUE of 3.4 kg per hook - a pling of fresh pasta accompa killed cleanly and efficiently, all figure to make green with envy nied, by smoked fish, garlic and this under the whirring lens of the captains of most of the fresh cream (good seasickness the camera. longliners working in the re recipe!) Steve Beverly, the SPC gion. consultant, got ready the equip The rest was nothing more than ment which is essential for deal a mere formality for Steve, who The catch was given away to ing with sashimi-quality tuna: was just a wee bit distracted the staff of the New Caledonia a foam mat to lay the fish on, from his work by the arrival on Maritime Affairs Division, the cotton gloves to handle it, a the deck of a second bigeye tuna SPC and an old people's home cosh, a pointed instrument to slightly smaller than the first in Noumea. kill it, a bleeding knife, a gutting Despite this and the unstable knife, a hard brush to clean out deck of the Dor Mad, Jeff cap The video cassette on onboard the gill cavity and some tured on film the final stages of treatment for sashimi quality elasticated cloth sleeves used to treatment which Steve was giv tuna will be available from the protect the fish while stored on ing to our star, involving the end of January 1995 in French board. Tanaguchi method of gutting, and English. A second film cleaning and onboard storage. dealing with shore processing The longline was paid out The mission was accomplished and export formalities for tuna around 1 p.m., a little earlier in a little under half an hour heading for the Japanese than usual, in order to increase from the start of the set. sashimi market will be shot in our prospects of reeling in live Fiji in February 1995. These two fish. There was no mistaking The rest of the afternoon was cassettes will be widely distrib our delight when after 10 min sheer pleasure, with 23 albacore uted throughout the region, in utes or so a beautiful bigeye brought in, weighing 500 kg; a particular to fishery training tuna weighing about 30 kg was 100 kg of mahi mahi; and 2 sectors and fishing companies hauled up from the deep! The small yellowfin - 680 kg of using longliners. **/£$> gaffing was faultless and the market-worthy tuna in all. In fish was stunned with'a blow to other words, we had a record
Steve Beverly and Jeff Huglo grapple with two good-sized bigeye tuna.
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 SPC ACTIVITIES
Safety-at-sea public awareness project underway
In 1991, following requests ...a majority of those queriedwere ing institutions and NGOs to from several Pacific Island of ike opinion that only education promote better awareness of the countries, the FAO/UNDP Re and a campaign of public aware basic elements of small-boat gional Fisheries Support Pro ness over time would bring mean safety at sea. Included in the gramme commissioned a re ingful results. This was particu package under development port on 'Safety at Sea Issues in larly true for those who were clos will be a safety logo, a poster Pacific Island Artisanal Fisher est to artisanal fishing and the sea, series, a checklist card, T-shirts, ies'. The consultant's report es i.e members of extension services in a video, audio tapes and a timated that in the 16 countries fisheries departments, professional tutor's workshop guide. surveyed, over a two-year pe mariners, some outboard dealers riod there had been between and the like. The main message of the SPC 612 and 667 distress incidents project is that attention to basic involving small craft, resulting and safety is not necessarily expen in a loss of life of possibly 113 sive or time-consuming and can persons. ... In planning even modest (safety) easily be incorporated into the programmes it must be realised operation of small fishing ves While there can be no measure that safety at sea is something sels. of the distress and grief these wliich must be taught and continu incidents and fatalities give to ally reinforced. It is recognised that Following a great effort from the families involved, the con heightened awareness of safety in SPC's Graphic Artist, Jipe sultant did give some estima indusinialised societies is due to Lebars, the Commission has tions of the monetary costs by constant reinforcement. In Island been able to complete and dis stating: countries, it is the almost total lack tribute the first of these materi of exposure to safety awareness on als, including logo stickers, a . . . general conclusions can be a recurrent basis that results in it poster and the checklist card (as drawn fvotn either the actual costs being ignored. Programmes should a large A4 sticker, a laminated incurred or extrapolation from the thus empltasise the necessity for waterproof card, and a T-shirt usual costs (but not necessarily their continued, long-term exist — See pages 10-11). ft'orn charges) of vessels and air ence. craft employed in search and res Video production and three cue operations. On this rough ba The development of a more in- more posters are planned for sis, including estimated levels of depth, long-term, approach to early 1995 and, with the addi external assistance (mainly aircraft safety issues is necessary to tion of the tutor's guide and flight-time) and internal budget address the problem. During audio tapes, the complete re ing, it can be estimated that in Hie 1993, the South Pacific Commis source pack should be available past few years in the region as a sion received five requests from by mid-1995. whole, US$750,000 to US$lj000j000fisherie s adrninistrations to pro is expended each year on searclt andvid e assistance in the develop The Commission hopes that rescue efforts. ment of safety-at-sea awareness this project will gain additional programmes for both fisher support from FAO, in which The report considered that the men and the general public. case it should be possible to cause of the problems contrib produce the resource kit in na uting to distress were in three In response, the Commission tional languages and give sup categories: mechanical, weather has initiated a Safety-at-Sea port to in-country workshop and misjudgment/poor sea Public Awareness Project and programmes. manship. Many of the persons has approached FAO, in co involved did not have a great operation with FAO member Anyone interested in obtaining deal of experience and had re countries, to assist in its devel copies of the material produced ceived no training. The 'It can't opment. by the Project or in assisting happen to me' attitude was with in-country promotion of prevalent. The safety programme devel safety issues should contact the oped by the Commission so far Commission's Fisheries Train In presenting suggestions for aims to provide useful resource ing Section. -vC^ improving safety the report materials to assist interested commented: fisheries administrations, train
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 SPC ACTIVITIES FIVE MINUTES WHICH CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE BEFORE GOING OUT TO SEA:
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CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST \1 £^ sff. TELL SOMEONE WHO CARES WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND WHEN Jra YOU PLAN TO RETURN
MAKE SURE ALL SAFETY EQUIPMENT IS ON BOARD €^>
MAKE SURE YOUR ENGINE IS WORKING WELL
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 SPC ACTIVITIES SMALL BOAT SAFETY CHECKLIST
SPHRE FUEL ENGINE TOOLS HND SPARES
RNCHOR AND ROPE SER RNCHOR JL n RLTERNRTIUE PROPULSION COMPASS
IUA /nil \ tN^ V M1RRDR 'FLARES SIGNALLING DEUICE -F? FLOTATION DEUICE AccA c & & ^ sS»>? UJRTER IN CONTAINER FOOD
FIRST RIO KIT KNIFE
BAILING OEUICE SHRDE
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 SPC ACTIVITIES
• OCEANIC FISHERIES PROGRAMME Multilateral High-Level Conference on South Pacific Tuna Fisheries
The Multilateral High-Level exchange of catch data. Also scheduled for August 1995 at a Conference on South Pacific considered at the Conference venue to be decided. Tuna Fisheries was held from 5 were transshipment, transpon to 9 December 1994 in Honiara, der technology, enforcement, Concerning transshipment, the Solomon Islands. The Confer gear conflicts, and other issues. Conference agreed that trans ence was attended by represen shipment in port has provided tatives of 21 countries and ter The discussion concerning the increased economic benefits to ritories: Australia, Cook Islands, status of the stocks and the col FFA member countries, as well Federated States of Micronesia, lection and exchange of catch as improved data coverage; a Fiji, French Polynesia, Japan, data was dominated by the con ban on transshipment at sea Kiribati, Marshall Islands, cerns of distant-water fishing was implemented as a condi Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, nations (DWFNs) that current tion of licensing by members of Papua New Guinea, People's deficiencies in these areas have the South Pacific Forum in June Republic of China, Philippines, been caused by the lack of a 1993. It was agreed that compli Republic of Korea, Solomon Is formal arrangement between ance with coastal state regula lands, Tonga, Tuvalu, United SPC and DWFNs for their par tions was generally good, but States of America, Vanuatu and ticipation in decisions concern that there were problems on Western Samoa. ing research and data collection. both sides.
Observers attended from the In this regard, Japan proposed Noting the assurances that had Commission for the Conserva that a working group be estab been provided by DWFNs with tion of Antarctic Marine Living lished to study the organisa respect to the concerns ex Resources (CCAMLR), the tional and financial aspects of pressed by FFA member coun Food and Agriculture Organi establishing a framework for tries regarding employment, zation of the United Nations the collection and dissemina pollution, dumping of discards (FAO), the Inter-American tion of data, and stock assess and by-catch on local markets, Tropical Tuna Commission ment with the participation of the Conference agreed that fur (IATTQ, the South Pacific Com scientists from all states with an ther consultation, on a bilateral mission (SPC), the South Pacific interest in the stocks. basis, would be desirable to Forum, and the Western Pacific overcome remaining difficul Fisheries Consultative Commit In response to the proposal by ties. All states represented in the tee (WPFCC). The meeting was Japan, the Conference agreed Conference confirmed that ves hosted by the Forum Fisheries that a technical consultation sels flying their flag are not Agency (FFA). should be convened to consider transshipping at sea. options for improved provision Following the opening state of complete catch-and-effort Concerning transponder tech ments by the delegations, the data, and the formulation of nology, the Conference agreed meeting considered first the sta criteria for data management that the discussion had been tus of the stocks, and then the and security. positive. In principle, all states collection and exchange of catch represented at the Conference data. In addition, the consultation supported the use of vessel should consider options under monitoring systems (VMS) tech Papers for these two agenda which scientists from all parties nology as an effective tool for items were prepared by SPC in involved in the fishery can enforcement, but it was recog collaboration with members of more fully participate in the nised that the nature of the re the Standing Committee on Tuna. stock assessment process and gion posed great challenges. and Billfish. Dr John Hampton, the tuna research programmes. SPC Principal Fisheries Scien It was agreed that the technical Conference participants agreed tist, presented the paper on the consultation will meet for one to continue to explore how such status of the stocks, while Dr week immediately preceding systems could be utilised in the Antony Lewis, SPC Oceanic the Eighth Meeting of the most beneficial way for both Fisheries Coordinator, presented Standing Committee on Tuna coastal states and DWFNs. It the paper on the collection and and Billfish, which is tentatively was recognised that FFA mem-
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 SPC ACTIVITIES ber countries had no intention the Conference that effective Concerning gear conflicts, the of acting unilaterally in this re- enforcement is essential for con- Conference endorsed a pro- gard, and it was hoped that a servation and management, posal by Japan that flag states continuing dialogue would While EFA member countries give strong guidance and in- help to resolve the difficulties are concerned at the poor level structions to longline vessels to identified by Japan and otlier of compliance by some vessels, make best efforts to set longline DWFNs concerning technical they also recognised the the gear with a spacing of at least and legal aspects. The Confer- concerns expressed by some two nautical miles from other ence noted with appreciation countries regarding the use of longline gear, and, in cases the offer by Japan to host a tech- excessive enforcement mea- where the longline gear has to nical consultation on VMS in sures. In this regard, the Confer- be cut, to make best efforts to re- 1995. ence agreed on the need for tie the gear firmly at the points greater cooperation between of the cut. -J£*3> Concerning enforcement, it was coastal states and DWPNs. r"^ recognised by all participants in
Q SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 NEWS FROM IN & AROUND THE REGION
•SECOND MACKEREL CANNERY PLANNED FOR PNG Hans are well advanced for a canned mackerel per year from will also be given preference for second mackerel cannery in fish caught in PNG waters, with fishing licences for the PNG Papua New Guinea (PNG). the company planning to im EEZ. Work is already under way on port additional frozen mackerel the country's first, being built from New Zealand, the United Meanwhile, PNG and the Fed by Malaysia's Kampala Fima States and Peru for canning to erated States of Micronesia and located at Lae on the north meet domestic demand. have signed an agreement to co ern New Guinea coast operate in exploiting their vast Papua New Guinea, which has fisheries resource (see SPC Fish The second project is a joint recently devalued the kina, now eries Newsletter #70, p. 15-16. venture between Vo-ko Indus imports K 30 million (US$ 32.4 tries of Fiji and a PNG company, million) worth of canned mack The countries share a long bor Nepulrager, to trade as Pacific erel each year and the devalua der between their respective Fish Cannery. The nine million tion means prices of the prod EEZs and they will work to kina (US$ 9.72 million) project uct will rise. To help meet that gether to monitor and conserve is likely to be located near the demand from local sources, tuna stocks. capital, Port Moresby. cannery projects are given sub stantial tax holidays and import (Source: World Fishing) -yf*fr The cannery will have a capac duty exemptions. Companies ity to produce 480,000 cartons of investing in land-based facilities
• GOLDEN FUTURE FOR SOUTH PACIFIC FISHERIES In the next five to 10 years, in said that up to 12 million tonnes Japan International Co-opera vestment in the South Pacific of tuna alone could be har tion Agency aided by the Fish fishing industry may total be vested in the region and sold at eries and Marine Resources tween K200 million (about an average of about K10 (about Development Assistance, Of US$ 170.2 million) and K300 US$ 8.50) per kilogram for raw fice of International Develop million, PNG Fisheries and Ma catches, while processed tuna ment Assistance of the Univer rine ResourcesDepartment Sec would fetch 10 times that sity of Papua New Guinea. retary, Mr Joseph Gabut, told an amount. Other resources, in People attending the course audience at the 11th South Pa cluding mackerel, reef fish, were from Cook Islands, Feder cific training course in coastal beche-de-mer, sea-shells and ated States of Micronesia, Fiji, fisheries development held in pearls, would fetch twice the Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Port Moresby. amount paid for processed Tonga and Western Samoa. tuna. Mr Gabut said the proposals for (Source: 77K South Sea Digest) investment concentrated on The training course, lasting 11 tuna fishing and canning. He weeks, was sponsored by the
• IOI OFFERS ITS FIRST COURSE The International Ocean Insti was the first full course to be of to develop proper strategies for tute Operational Centre at the fered by IOI-South Pacific resources and fisheries manage University of the South Pacific ment. (IOI-South Pacific) and the Suggesting an integrated ap USFs Marine Studies Pro proach to the management of Sustainable Development Ad gramme course, Management the coastal fisheries, Mr Solofa visor, United Nations Develop and Development of Coastal said that it was important for ment Programme, Dr Suresh Fisheries, were officially opened proper training to be provided Raj said that in the Pacific, the by the Vice-chancellor Esekia to people managing marine re sharp conflict between the need Solofa at the lower campus. sources. He said that marine for immediate consumption or resources were important to the use of coastal and marine re The five-week course, from 24 people of the Pacific Islands and sources, and the need to ensure October to 25 November 1994, that there was an urgent need the sustainable supply of re-
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 NEWS FROM IN & AROUND THE REGION sources was reaching a critical the process of approving regional training programme stage. The need for integrated US$ 350,000 for a project aimed and courses on Ocean Resources Coastal Zone Management Plans at establishing a Coastal Zone Management. In 1992 the Uni and their implementation was Management Plan in the Re versity assumed responsibility now paramount. public of Marshall Islands. He for the Ocean Resources Man invited participants from other agement Programme (ORMP), Dr Raj outlined some of the se Pacific Island countries to ap and was moving towards the rious issues. These included the proach UNDP for similar assis development of a degree pro rapid growth of urbanisation, tance. gramme at the bachelor's level, resulting in pollution of coasts majoring in Ocean Resources adjacent to urban centres; lack In a welcoming address, Profes Management. of trained human resources sor Robin South, Director of which limited the environmen IOI-South Pacific, stressed the The course was attended by 23 tal management capabilities of importance of coastal fisheries participants from the Cook Is the Pacific Island countries to the Pacific Islands nations. lands, Fiji, Federated States of (PICs); solid and hazardous He said while they were the Micronesia, Kiribati, Palau, waste accumulation, resulting most important resource for the Papua New Guinea, Philip in public health and pollution region, coastal fisheries were pines, Solomon Islands, Tonga problems; pollution of coastal not well documented or under and Western Samoa. The Course waters, especially in the vicin stood, and posed a major man Coordinator was Joeli Veitayaki, ity of urban areas; destruction agement problem for Govern Coordinator of USP's Ocean of coral reefs through dynamit ment. Resources Management Pro ing, for causeway and boat gramme, who delivers two of channel construction; and over- Professor South said the Inter the five modules. The other exploiting renewable resources, national Ocean Institute had course developers and lecturers including coastal fisheries, in been heavily involved in coastal were Dr D.W. Keats, visiting the face of rapidly increasing management strategies and is IOI Scholar from the University populations. sues, and had also been at the of Western Cape, South Africa, forefront of the development of and Ms Vina Ram-Bidesi, lec He said that in response to such training programmes and turer in ORMP. Funding for problems, it was recognised courses targeting coastal man participants was provided by that systems for integrated agers and senior government IOI South Pacific, under the coastal zone management must decision makers in the ocean Global Environmental Facility / be designed and implemented sector. Startingin 1984, a project United Nations Development in the PICs. In this regard, was developed between the Program Project. UNDP, with technical input USP and the Forum Fisheries from IOI South Pacific, was in Agency for the delivery of a (Source: USP)
• THREAT TO MARINE BIODIVERSITY UNDER-ESTIMATED At the Marine Coastal Biodiver world to contribute their knowl sity (the variety of species in an sity Conference held during the edge and expertise about soft ecosystem), ecological diversity first two weeks of November ware and geographical infor (the variety of biological com 1994, biologists, ecologists and mation systems. munities) and genetic diversity scientists stressed the impor (the genetic variation that oc tance of a taxonomic database The second session took place curs among members of the for living species and the con from 6 to 9 November and cov same species). servation of biodiversity. ered topics about population, development and conservation The variety of species, ecosys The two-session conference priorities. tems and habitat influence the was held at the East-West Cen productivity and services pro ter at the University of Hawaii. The term biological diversity vided by ecosystems. As the The first session took place from has more than one interpreta variety of species in an ecosys 2 to 4 November and covered tion. The U.S. Congressional tem changes, the ecosystem's species systematics and infor Office of Technology Assess ability to provide other invalu mation management priorities. ment has defined biological di able services changes too. Speakers came from around the versity to include: species diver-
SFC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 NEWS FROM IN & AROUND THE REGION
One of the main themes of the As technology and interna cific, Fiji, said that the popula biodiversity conference was the tional trade become intensified, tion of coastal areas is now need to enable countries to the impact of environmental equal to the entire population in sustainably manage their own threats is extended to the the 1950s. Bryant gave further renewable resources. Effident oceans. The World Resource insight on status and changes in biodiversity data management Institute said 'Even in Antarc human settlements in the tropi is a crurial component of this tica, penguins far from any ag cal Pacific Islands. process. What is a taxonomic riculture contain DDT, shore database and why is it so im lines have been fouled by oil 'The term human settlements portant? spills, and blue whales are criti has a broad range of meanings', cally endangered. The spedes she said. It refers to the devel The World Conservation Moni and ecosystems suffering the opment of dti.es, land use and toring Center (WCMC), which most, however, are in the tenure, population densities handles global diversity data, is coastal waters closest to hu and numbers, employment and one agency that disseminates mankind'. health-related issues, sanitation, information on biological re and other economic and politi sources, their conservation and In the last 20 years, marine con cal factors. sustainable use at the global servation has become a global level. Its information service is concern. Even though fisheries According to Bryant, urban used by governments, develop conventions and international construction has often created ment agendes, non-govern agreements concerning seals damage out of proportion to mental organisations and mul and whales have existed for coastal ecosystems. For ex tinational corporations, as well some time, only recently have ample, deforestation has led to as individual sdentists, journal regional sea conventions, con severe erosion in the Cook Is ists and conservationists. ventions to prevent marine pol lands, French Polynesia and lution, and the UN Convention Hawaii. Sea turtles, whales, Mark Spalding from WCMC on the Law of the Sea begun to sharks, giant dams and black said 'It is essential to consider impose a framework of interna coral are endangered or extind both the user community and tional ocean law. in some areas of the Pacific due the wide array of existing glo to over-exploitation. bal, regional and national data Some of the main reasons for bases'. the loss of marine biodiversity Coastal areas are becoming are: habitat loss, introduced over-exploited because of tour Spalding said putting together species, over-exploitation of ism, espedally in the tropical a database indudes: gathering spedes, pollution, global cli islands because of their beaches, information on spedes, habitats mate change and industrial coral reefs and sea life, lush and sites through an extensive agriculture and forestry. The vegetation, scenic beauty, network of contacts; managing underlying problem can be sunny climates and culturally and disseminating this informa traced to the increase in pollu diverse and friendly resident tion, and promoting the infor tion. Jenny Bryant from the populations. mation networks to improve Department of Geography at the flow and exchange of data. the University of the South Pa (Source: Seawards) iO> Also discussed at the confer ence was the status of marine biodiversity. It is becoming more apparent that the diver sity of spedes in the ocean has been under-estimated, espe dally in remote environments such as the deep-ocean floor, and that the environmental threats from pollution are in creasing more rapidly and spreading faster than is assumed by marine policy-makers and regulators.
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 NEWS FROM IN & AROUND THE REGION
•TUNA NEXT FOR TONGA FLEET Fishing lias been an important activity in Tonga since ancient times. However, it was just 20 years ago tliat t)ie seamount-based commercial snapper fishery began; it is now Tonga's most important fishery. The past year (1994) has seen a large increase in tuna fishing with monofilament longlines and the outlook for tuna devel opment is optimistic.
Tonga has developed a US$ 1 skills, training fishermen in the market. Prime individuals million plus snapper export snapper fishing techniques, and are selected for export. Two spe industry and present catches starring a biological research cies, the longtailed red snapper are well within sustainable lim programme to ensure conserva (Etelis coruscans) and the pink its, according to stock research, tion of the stocks. snapper (Pristopomoidesfilamen- Now, Tongan fishermen are tosus), are especially valuable. looking to tuna as the next big To date, 41 FAO-designed ves Export fish are carefully weighed, fishery to exploit. sels have been constructed by repacked in ice and stored in a the Ministry of Fisheries specifi chillroom ready for the weekly The Kingdom of Tonga is a cally for snapper fishing. A typi flight to Hawaii. country consisting of about 150 cal trip starts early on Monday islands, which are a consider morning when the crew load These fish are painstakingly able distance from the equato ice, food and fuel on to their 9 m packed in special fish export rial tuna purse-seine fishing wooden vessel. They sail per boxes. Air cargo space on the grounds and slightly to the haps 75 nautical miles from the Hawaii-bound flight is quite north of the area where Korean main port of Nuku'alofa. limited and the available space and Taiwanese vessels achieve is not known until just before high albacore catch rates using Although the ocean surround departure, so fish exporters do conventional Asian longline ing the islands of Tonga is sev not relax until their fish has gear, The Tonga zone is, how eral thousand metres deep, been loaded on. Quality is ex ever, endowed with underwa there are over 100 seamounts tremely important in the snap ter topography such as sea- which rise up relatively close to per business. How the fish is mounts, underwater volcanoes, the surface. These seamounts handled from the time it comes and trenches which are condu are where the snappers are on board the boat to when it cive to good snapper fishing. found. A snapper boat anchors reaches the consumer makes a on a seamount and the crew use huge difference in price. Badly- Little was known about the four large hand-operated fish handled fish does not even earn snappers and other bottomfish ing reels to lower their lines. To enough to pay air-freight costs. which inhabit the deep waters each line are attached three to Good fishermen have a large of the reef slope and seamounts eight hooks (size 3 to 6 Mustad bag of tricks to make their fish of Tonga before the 1970s. Ex tuna circle hooks) baited with look 'fresher than fresh' when ploratory fishing in the 1970s by either saury, skipjack or squid. it arrives at the final destination. the Food and Agriculture Orga nization (FAO) and the South Fishing seamounts is hard These include: touching the fish Pacific Commission (SPC) work. At a depth of 300 m, it only with gloves; handling the showed that catches of several takes a crewman about eight fish by the gills and never by the snapper species could be made minutes to crank up the hooks, tail; not letting fish touch the in waters up to 400 m deep. even with snapper fishermen deck; placing fish in an ice/ salt who do not have delicate arms! water slush for a few hours on It was demonstrated that these During a good fishing day, four capture for rapid cooling before fish were present in substantial hours can be spent grinding on packing in ice; using ice with no quantities and a comprehensive the large reels and fine-weather sharp edges; and having 4 kg of fisheries development programme trips mean from two to three ice on board for every kilogram was, therefore, carried out by days being spent on the grounds, offish. A well-handled fish will the Tonga Government with followed by a day motoring have clear eyes, red gills, scales FAO and SPC assistance. This back to port. intact, a brilliant coloration and was not easy. The programme an absence of even minor bruises included designing boats ap Most vessels arrive in Nuku'alofa when being examined by a propriate for Tonga's fisher late on Friday night and fish are wholesale buyer in Honolulu or men, teaching boatbuilding unloaded the next morning at Tokyo.
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 NEWS FROM IN & AROUND THE REGION
Snapper is the country's most comprehensive biological re So the future challenge for the important commercial fishery, search programme for the past Ministry of Fisheries will be to producing over US$1 million of five years and this has shown determine the most appropriate export revenue and employing that present exploitation is approach to maximise the over 200 people in fishing, mar within biologically sustainable fishery's economic return. keting and other services. limits. Net sustainable economic Tonga's snapper resource is not benefit, however, would prob (Source: Bob Gillett — Fishing infinite, however. The Ministry ably increase if there were some News International) /s of Fisheries has conducted a what fewer fishermen.
Mono-lining takes off \xi"• [;;(r^u:Ml\ $ tu%!> u'\ • I?^i";|:*:fr"- ^.{^'^g'-"^^^g^S-^.t':^5i;£Itl-^1 iH^>5S^^^li"^Sl^ Jl.^i-i^j*ffit?i?" . Four species of tuna are Jt%>LKn^f J%# ^icr^^iV#^iMl4i^/ar/ jiejrkj^jriri^eil^^' :^f>:;^7^E7ir^gr^: E :aibacore;y4lfowfih> ttige^e an(f skipjack, In the late tS70s, research Was carried out on these fish in which ihousahds wete Cap tured, tagged and released. This work showed thai tuna tagged Ihtife 76ng$ ZOfctnttezone arid adjacent areas moved to Papua New Guinea, Tahiti* New Zealand ami Micronesia. Although over a million tonnes of tuna iscauQht annually intffe ansa toaMfrofn Which tonga's tuhamigratei the : : amount caught inff*e 'Wai&f$. M Toh)j$: WM my$pp t : "{:• > 'ii '•\^M:'- ^^^i^ \ \- v-\ (: V. i;:;' ;•;; Tonga's inshore and reef fisheries are mostly heavily exploited, so interest in tuna is easy to un derstand. Tana are: caught by '&ty&tefyidfmhfftads tit ihej0r^ora
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 NEWS FROM IN & AROUND THE REGION
• SEAFOOD CONSUMPTION AND HEALTH
One often hears people say that groups which suffer from the 'fish is good for the brains'. In disease. Similar research is also fact its composition makes it a being carried out in Australia. healthy food for the whole body. The Japanese say that eating fish, raw or processed, 'improves In general, the nutrient compo the brain', but whether this ac sition in 100 g of fish is as fol counts for their economic suc lows: protein, 17-22 g; lipids, 1- cess remains to be ascertained. 6 g, carbohydrates, 0.8-1 g; water, 80 g (see SPC Fisheries A Japanese tuna processor, how Newsletter #64). ever, has come up with a prod uct 'that can effectively improve A laboratory finding of Norwe mental activities by increasing Still in the United Kingdom, gian scientists is that fishfa t also learning functions, memory re research into seaweed has shown fights cancer. In their tests, the tention and recall, and also gen that through an advanced form reproductive ability of leuke erally improve physical health of chromatography using a sea- mia cells was impaired by treat by supressing allergies and re weed-based material called ment with Omega-3 fatty acid ducing cholesterol'. agarose, the cost of a new gen similar to that found in fish oil. eration of drugs can be reduced Concentrated fish fat had a The renowned U.K. medical a thousand times. The technique healing effect on skin disorders journal, Tite Lancet, in a recent using seaweed is now being such as eczema. issue, ran an article that raised used to manufacture anti-can the possibility that eating more cer drugs. Researchers in Spain have con fish could 'calm us down'. It cluded that regular consump particularly mentions consump From Malaysia's University of tion of fish can help prevent tion of such species as herring, Science has come the news that asthma. Studies are being un mackerel, salmon, sardines and a species of sea cucumber (Hoh- dertaken by the Spanish Medi sprats. thuria atra) may be used in the cal Society, SEPAR, on various treatment of ringworm (a fun A study which the articles cites gal infection) and serve as an suggests that people with a high antiseptic. level of a certain type of fat called triglyceride in their blood tend From an extract of the sea cu to be more aggressive. Oil found cumber, researchers have iso in fish lowers these levels. This lated four toxins, two which is due to the action of a special were found to retard ringworm type of polyunsaturate, Omega-3. growth. The extract was also Dr Ray Rice of the British Fish found effective in healing cuts. Foundation says that a reduc tion in aggression 'may be one (Source: SEAFDEC Newsletter) more of the factors contributing to the explanation of how eat ing more oil-rich fish reduces the risk of heart disease'.
• BALLAST-WATER UPDATE The New Zealand Ministry of particularly concerned about tendant risk that exotic organ Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), the ballast-water issue. isms could be discharged, it is in consultation with other gov assumed that certain discharges ernment departments and re Targeting high risk vessels pose more of a risk than others, lated agencies, is considering depending on factors such as the following measures relating Although the discharge of any type of vessel, cargo stowage, to cleaning of vessels, and is ballast water will carry the at- origin of the ballast, structure of
— October/December '94 NEWS FROM IN & AROUND THE REGION ballast tanks, length of voyage ters either not to discharge bal Research and quantity of discharge. last water in New Zealand or, if that is not possible, to ex There is ample evidence that a Although no sampling and change ballast water at sea prior risk is present from the dis analysis of ballast water are to arrival. The policy change is charge of ballast water, but the undertaken, indications are that unlikely to prove too arduous risk has not been quantified. If certain ballast water discharges for shipping interests as the 90 per cent of vessels comply should be restricted. amount of Tasmanian ballast with the COP and it is accepted discharges in New Zealand is that the provisions of the COP For example, the Pacific seastar minuscule. are efficacious, then the risk to (Asterias amurensis), a voracious New Zealand may be minimal. shellfish predator, has been in Ban on hull scraping However, there is insufficient troduced into Tasmania (pre evidence at present to establish sumably in ballast), where it has To reduce drag on a ship as it this. The COP has reduced the bred prolifically. MAF has re moves through the water and risk but the amount of reduc ceived scientific advice that it for maintenance, marine flora tion is unknown. Research that would be prudent to ban the and fauna must be removed pertains specifically to New discharge of ballast water origi from a vessel's hull. This usu Zealand is needed. nating in Tasmania between ally takes place in a dry dock July and January of each year but sometimes while the vessel Over the next three months a when the larva of the seastar is is berthed. Marine flora and ballast water sampling/analy present in the water. fauna growing on the hull are sis programme (including cost scraped off and introduced into ing and who should pay) will MAF intends to follow the ad the marine environment. MAF be developed to ascertain the vice given and is consulting intends to restrict this practice extent of the risk. Further re with shipping interests. This after consultation with shipping search will be decided depend policy reflects a departure from interests and companies that ing on tine results of the sam the current voluntary code of offer this service. pling and analysis programme. practice (COP) used for ballast discharge which requests mas (Source: Sentinell) ^
Ballast-water discharge The need for introducing regulationsto control ballast water discharge by visiting ships is being considered by Nelson local authorities. There are fears that giant sea worms (Sabella sp.) which have infested some South Australian waters could aiso arrive in New Zealand and threaten its multi-million dollar shellfish industry. MAF Fisheries scientist Barbara Hayden says the worms, which grow up to SO cm in length, could be brought over in ballast water or on the hulls of ships. Each worm constructs its own dense outer covering as it grows, into which it can withdraw itself for protection from predators. The worms form dense colonies, crowding out other marine organisms. Barbara Hayden says mat if the worms, originally from the Mediterranean Sea, are able to thrive in Australian water, mere is a good chancetor their being able to survive around New Zealand. They could adversely affect the shellfish industry. (Source: Professional Fisherman)
BOTTLE-TOP FISH SCALER
A simple and effective fish- nailed to allow rotation on a either food-grade plastic resin sealer has been developed by piece of wood shaped like a or with a paint that is safe to be the FAO/DANIDA Training square bat. in contact with food. The bottle Project on Fish Technology. caps are stripped of any paper, Serrated bottle caps (i.e. beer- or The wooden base is made from plastic or rubber seal and glue. mineral-water-type) are loosely clean hardwood, coated with
SFC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 NEWS FROM IN 8c AROUND THE REGION
Usually fish-scal A simple and effective ing is carried out fish scaler usingthe backof a knife, but the cap scaler has been found to cause less damage to the 7 cm 2.5 cm skin of the fish. The fish is held firmly by the tail and the scaler is moved from the tail to the head of the fish, firmly but gently. Because of the greater area covered by the 1.5 cm scaler compared to knife, the scaling process is quicker to carry out. The configuration of the caps can be var 9cm 12 cm ied in order to adapt the scaler to different types of fish. However, a scaler used on poul with a brush in chlorinated or try should not then be used on soapy water, or with other ap The scaler has other useful fish as this could cause cross- propriate cleaning agents. applications such as removing contamination by bacteria such small feathers from poultry. as Salmonella. All scalers should (Source: SPORE) p "jr be thoroughly cleaned after use
I THE INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON SEAFLOOR MAPPING IN THE WEST AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC
Scheduled more than a year Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, One working group in particu ago, the International Work the United States of America, lar studied the effects of seafloor shop on Seafloor Mapping in Vanuatu and Western Samoa. mapping on the assessment of the West and Southwest Pacific, reef and lagoon resources and organised by the South Pacific One after the other, representa on the development of fishing Applied Geoscience Commis tives from SOPAC's member activities on the reef slopes and sion (SOPAC), a regional orga countries mounted the podium seamounts. nisation based in Fiji, was held to report on a full decade of from 4 to 8 November 1994 at work in seafloor mapping, an The reef slopes and seamounts ORSTOM's headquarters in area, like many others, in which assume a very great economic Noumea, New Caledonia. there have been many changes. importance for the region's countries and territories. The This workshop brought to Besides exchanges of informa distribution of target species gether more than 100 high-level tion and a display of a large and the fishing techniques use d scientists from 22 different number of posters and other are closely related to the topog countries and territories: Aus large-scale materials, the work raphy and nature of the seaf- tralia, Belgium, Canada, the shop also allowed different loors. However, depth contour Cook Islands, Spain, Fiji, France, working groups to come up with surveys should not be disre Great Britain, Japan, Kiribati, recommendations on the vari garded. Niue, Norway, New Caledonia, ous areas of specialisation. New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, French Polynesia, the
SFC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 NEWS FROM IN & AROUND THE REGION
In New Caledonia, several fish trawl at depths of between 800 greater effort should be made ing experiments are scheduled and 1500 m in the area mapped on the depth-contour surveys at and will act as a follow-up to by Zoneco 1 (West of New depths between 500 and seafloor mapping surveys. The Caledonia). 2000 m. The alfonsin (Beryx 'HALICAL' surveys will use a splendens) and related species bottom longline at depths of Similar mappingsurveysinNew live on the seamount plateaus between 500 and 800 m in the Zealand and Australia have al in the region and the emperors area mapped by the Zoneco 2 lowed identification of areas of (Hoplostetkus atlantkus - orange mission (North of the main is potential interest to fishermen. roughy) live on the sharp sea- land and the Loyalty Island The recent developments in mounts. Province; see Fzsfenes Newslet New Caledonia, New Zealand ter #70) and a deep-bottom and Australia suggest that a (Source: ORSTOM)
• LAST QUARTER'S CLIMATE
July 1994 There was also an area of above- August 1994 average rainfall along the Equa Mixed climatic conditions con tor between Papua New Guinea Climatic conditions during tinued during July, and it is not and western Kiribati. August indicate a continuation at all clear whether the 1991- of the current 1991-1994 ENSO 1994 ENSO episode can be con Rainfall was 150 per cent to 200 episode. The narrow tongue of sidered to have finished. The per cent of average in these ar below-average SST contracted narrow tongue of below-aver eas. eastwards and deepened a little. age sea-surface temperatures (SST) seen recently along the Record July rainfalls occurred However/ there are strong ENSO Equator in the eastern Pacific, in the southern Cook Islands, features, particularly the exten which is usually a sign of an with five times average at sive and growing areas of SST emerging La Nina episode, has Mauke (363 mm) and almost anomalies in the central and extended westward and deep four times average at Mangaia north Pacific (up to +1.5°Q and ened a little. (421 mm). in the south Pacific around the dateline (down to -10Q, and the However, there are strong Extremely dry conditions con systematic anomalies in pres ENSO features, particularly the tinued over Australia (its Bu sure patterns leading to a con extensive and growing areas of reau of Meteorology has just tinuing negative Southern Os SST anomalies in the central issued a drought press release), cillation Index (SOI) (-1.9), 0.2 and north Pacific (up to +1.5°Q and a belt of low rainfall (30 to below that of July. Furfhermore, and in the south Pacific around 50% of average) extended across equatorial easterly winds are the dateline (down to -1.5°Q, the north Tasman Sea, affecting weaker than usual over the and the systematic anomalies in New Caledonia and Norfolk warm pools of the central and pressure patterns leading to a and Kermadec Islands. Western western Pacific Ocean. continuing negative Southern Kiribati and most of Fiji were Oscillation Index (SOI) (-1.7), 0.8 drier than average. Labasa, Fiji The Pacific Islands rainfall re below that of June. Equatorial measured rainfall of just 1 mm, gime was similar to that of July, easterly winds also show a dual equal to the previous lowest in that the SPCZ continued to character, being stronger than since records began in 1956. be more active in eastern areas usual (typical of La Nina) over from Samoa across to the north the cold eastern seas, and weaker Air temperatures, like SSTs, ern Cook Islands and especially than usual (ENSO) over the continued to be above average French Polynesia. There was warm central Pacific pool. in the east and below average also an area of above-average in the west. TOGA Sea Level rainfall along the Equator be The Pacific Islands rainfall data Center readings for the previ tween Papua New Guinea, show that the South Pacific Con ous month (June) showed sea Vanuatu, western and central vergence Zone (SPCZ) contin levels were generally above av Kiribati. Rainfall was mostly ued to be more active in eastern erage in most north and south 150 per cent to 300 per cent of areas from Samoa and Tonga Pacific islands regions by about average in these areas. Record across to Cook Islands and es 5 -10 cm. high August rainfalls occurred pecially French Polynesia. at Canton Island, central Kiribati
SFC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 NEWS FROM IN & AROUND THE REGION
(315 mm, just over six times av rainfall (10 to 50% of average) and above average by up to 1 °C erage), and in Vanuatu and extended south along the date in eastern Kiribati. TOGA Sea French Polynesia, with over three line from Fiji to New Zealand. Level Center readings for the times average at Pekoa (418 mm), Drought now prevails over previous month (July) showed Hereheretue (216 mm) and Ta- much of western Viti Le vu, Fiji, sea levels were generally above hiti-Faaa (169 mm). with Nadi and Lautoka having average in most north and received no rainfall at all in Au south Pacific islands regions by Extremely dry conditions con gust. Record low rainfall was about 5-10 cm. tinued over Australia, with no measured at Vava'u, Tonga rainfall at numerous sites (the (6 mm) and Raoullsland (9 mm). (Source: South Pacific Climate Bureau of Meteorology has is Air temperatures were below Monitor) Y"^a>' sued another drought press re average by about 0.5°C in Fiji, lease), and a broad belt of low Tonga and the Cook Islands,
Note from the Editor: As you may have noticed, only two months' climate were reported in this issue. Unfortunately the Editor of the South Pacific Climate Monitor has informed us he had to terminate the production of this bulletin, due to lack of financial support. Every month for nearly three years, tlie South Pacific Climate Monitor lias been providing a high-quality appraisal of the month's climate in the South Pacific Islands region and a climate outlook for tlie coming months. Several salvage options have been consid ered, including continuing to seek long-term funding, developing tfie Monitor to make it financially self-sufficient, and developing a project to transfer the Monitor operations to a Pacific Island country.
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 ABSTRACTS AND REVIEWS
• PROCEEDINGS OF AN INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON TRADITIONAL MARINE TENURE AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF MARINE RE SOURCES IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, SUVA 4-8 JULY 1994 The last issue of the Newsletter However, Maria Mangahas, associated with a small seasonal mentioned that an international from the University of the Phil tuna baitfish fishery at Arawe workshop on traditional ma ippines, documented a number on the south-west coast of New rine tenure and management of cases from South-east Asia Britain in Papua New Guinea had been convened in Suva where forms of marine tenure (PNG). The now-defunct do during July by the International systems existed or used to ex mestic pole-and-line tuna fleets Ocean Institute. The meeting ist. In pre-colonial Philippines, used to obtain bait by fishing was held at the University of the fishing rights to sections of riv coastal waters in PNG and pay South Pacific and was sup ers were established and could ing a compensation payment ported by the Western Pacific be traded in the same manner based on 2.5 per cent of the FOB Fisheries Consultative Commit as land or crops. This system fell price of tuna. tee and the Government of apart under Spanish rule and France. the eradication of the traditional The demarcation of various bait Philippine communities known grounds in PNG was carried The objective of the meeting as barrangays. out by fisheries officers using was to promote the exchange of natural features on maps to information on customary ma Mangahas mentions similar define boundaries. In the case of rine tenure (CMT) and manage historical traditions of tenure of the Arawe bait ground, the de ment between researchers and swamp lands and reef areas in fined boundaries cut across fisheries managers in South-east Indonesia. In present-day Indo three distinct kinship groups Asia and the South Pacific. For nesia, the Sasi system operates with conflicting claims to the this reason, the meeting was at in parts of Sulawesi and East surrounding marine areas. Con tended by participants from the Timor. This system is designed flict between these groups over Philippines, Indonesia, Thai to ensure equality of access to the bait royalty payments was land and Vietnam. community fishing rights and therefore inevitable, but might equity of opportunity to derive have been ameliorated with The proceedings of the meeting both subsistence and economic better appreciation of the social were published in November incomes from coastal resources. structures in the area con 1994 and contain all the papers cerned. addressed at the meeting plus Local people have the right to summaries of the various dis fish for most fishes in Sasi areas, Further details of these presen cussions that took place follow- however, for certain schooling tations and the discussions they ing each presentation. Marine species there may be special rules generated are contained in the tenure systems were described that are invoked by a headman Proceedings, which run to a hefty for a number of countries, in depending on his interpretation 312 pages. Even those fisheries cluding the Federated States of of the fishes' behaviour. personnel with little interest in Micronesia, Fiji, Solomon Is Mangahas concluded her pre CMT are likely to find some lands, Kiribati, New Caledonia, sentation by noting that marine thing of interest in this volume. Palau, Papua New Guinea, tenure systems had been inad I would recommend in particu Tonga and Vanuatu. equately documented in South lar the workshop overview by east Asia. This may be because Professor Ron Crocombe of the It was clear from these presen they are not immediately obvi Institute of Pacific Studies. Pro tations and subsequent discus ous to fisheries biologists whose fessor Crocombe outlined suc sions that there were few simi training and background do not cinctly the role of CMT in the larities between the traditions of sensitise them to local institu past and how it is likely to de marine tenure in the South Pa tions. velop in the future. He sug cific and South-east Asia. Own gested that most work in the ership of marine resources is An excellent example of this region on CMT was concerned not as strongly perceived in from the South Pacific was pro mainly with the past, when the South-east Asia and hence vided by James Turner from the region was dominated and in coastal fisheries are open to all East-West Centre in Hawaii. fluenced by Europe. in most locations. Turner examined the problems
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 ABSTRACTS AND REVIEWS
However, North-east and South Prof Crocombe concluded that sible of the marine technology, east Asia will soon exert a this presents both exciting pros experiences and institutions of greater influence on the region pects and great problems but the people and cultures who and on institutions and re that a key to dealing with them will bring a new set of influ sources such as CMT and fish is for Pacific Islanders to have ences to bear upon them. eries. as much understanding as pos IBIBUOGRAPHY ON MARINE POLLUTION PROBLEMS IN THE PACIFIC ISLANDS
Morrison R. J. & G. Rao (1994). The bibliography predomi The bibliography is a revised, Bibliography on marine pollu nantly concerns Pacific Island edited and updated version of tion problems in the Pacific Is countries, however, a number an unpublished draft 'Coastal lands. Pacific Islands Marine of references on Australia and and inland water quality in the Resources Information Sys New Zealand are also included South Pacific' by R.J. Morrison, tem (PIMRIS), The Univer in view of their relevance to Is which was repared for the Fifth sity of the South Pacific li land countries. SPREP Consultative Meeting in brary. 48 p. Suva in June 1990. This compilation is a result of a The bibliography focuses on progressive exercise over a pe For more detail on this bibliog documents covering issues re riod of time. It mainly lists lit raphy, contact the Pacific Islands lating to pollution, including erature generated during the Marine Resources Information water quality, contamination, past 15 years. This bibliography System (PIMRIS) Coordination protection of water resources, provides separate listings by Unit at the University of the ocean and atmospheric pro author, categorised under coun South Pacific Library, P.O. Box cesses, sources of pollution, ana try names. 1168, Suva, Fiji [Fax: (679) lytical methods, surveys, reports 300830]. >*^ and studies. However, it commences with a 'Pacific - General Information' category. The publication also includes author and subject in dexes.
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 WESTERN PACIFIC TUNA The fishery The total catch during 1993 in STOCKS—A STATUS REPORT the SPC area was 930,0001, a doubling over the past 10 years. Introduction Of this, 80 per cent of the catch by A.D. Lewis by volume was taken by purse- South Pacific Commission The tuna stocks of the area com Noumea, New Caledonia seine vessels, which have ac monly described as the western counted for most of the catch Pacific - the tropical and sub increase over the past decade. tropical waters of the SPC area, cific, accounting for over 90 per Longline vessels took only 13 extending to the longitude of cent of the catch. (Albacore tuna per cent of the catch, but this Hawaii in the east, and includ occur in more temperate waters, accounted for 45 per cent of the ing eastern Indonesia and the as well as sub-tropical waters, landed value (US$ 660 million Philippines to the west - now and the valuable southern blue- - FF A figures), equal to the value support annual catches of be fin tuna occurs, for all intents of the much larger purse-seine tween 1.2 and 1.4miIlion tonnes and purposes, south of the SPC catch. Pole-and-line fisheries per year. About one million area). accounted for the remaining 7 tonnes of are taken within the per cent by volume and 9 per SPC area, mostly within the Skipjack, the smallest of the tu cent by value. EEZs of Pacific Island states. nas, makes up 70 per cent of the catch by volume, and occurs in The purse-seine catch is concen The western Pacific catch now the surface layers at all stages of trated in equatorial areas (be represents half the global catch its life history. The catchis mostly tween 10°N and 10°S), mostly of primary market species of canned or made into speciality within the EEZs of members of tunas; the 1993 catch within the products. the Nauru Group of countries. SPC area was valued atUS$ 1.5 The longline catch is more widely billion. Although most of this YeEowfin and bigeye tuna, both distributed. catch continues to be taken by of which can attain dose to 200 foreign Ecensed vessels (locally- kg and are valued as sashimi The total catch in the western owned or joint-venture vessels (Japanese raw fish) spedes, oc Pacific peaked during 1991, and account for only five per cent of cur at the surface as juveniles, has declined slightly since then, the value of the catch), the re often in schools with skipjack. partly due to bans on high-seas source still represents for Pacific Yellowfin are taken as adults in transshipment, enforced by Island countries the most valu surface schools, and also by Nauru Group countries. able living marine resource and longline well below the surface; the one most likely to yield sig bigeye, the most valuable spe In 1993, Japan remained the nificant economic benefit. des, swim deeper as adults, and largest producer (238,0001), fol nearly all the adult catch is lowed by Taiwan (208,0001), This report provides a brief taken by longline. the USA (195,0001) and Korea overview of the current pattern (178,000 t). Locally-owned or and levels of exploitation, ar Surface fish are caught by so joint-venture fleets account for rangements for monitoring of phisticated purse-seine vessels, only 5per cent of the total landed the resource, and the current which endrde entire schools, value of the catch, although this status of the stocks, at least in and pole-and-line vessels which is slowly improving as domes biological terms. use live bait to attract feeding tic longline ventures become tunas; longlines and vertical established, and purse-seine The resource handlines are used to take adult vessels are acquired by local yellowfin and bigeye. ventures. High-seas tuna fish Tunas occur throughout the ing remains, for the most part, vast ocean area of the western A variety of other spedes maybe a capital-intensive, high-risk Pacific, and are individually taken duringtuna fishery opera operation. capable of considerable long tions, induding various billfish distance movement. The tropi (marlin, swordfish, sailfish), cal tunas - skipjack, yellowfin sharks and other spedes. This is and bigeye - comprise most of spedally true of longlines, and the resource in the western Pa- purse-seine sets on floating logs.
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 WESTERN PACIFIC TUNA STOCKS — A STATUS REPORT
SPC statistical area map Monitoring and fishery re in daily logsheet form (for some should become a possibility for search fishing gears, these catches are the first time in the near future. significant). For some fleets, With most of the catch taken by catches have been not reported With this generally poor cover foreign fleets, detailed informa or deliberately under-reported, age (until recently) of detailed tion on catches (how, when, notably in the past by Korean catch information, combined where) should be made avail and Taiwanese purse-seine ves with gaps in our knowledge of able by these fleets on daily sels. For 1993, the RTFD con some key biological features of catch-and-effort logsheets, as tains daily logsheet data on the tunas themselves (e.g. age, required by the conditions of probably 70 per cent of the to growth rate, reproduction, mi access to fish Pacific Island na tal catch; this compares with gration, stock structure), it has tions' EEZ waters. These data, probably 40 per cent or less prior generally not been possible to plus the more complete infor to the US Treaty. apply conventional fishery sci mation from domestic fleets, are ence approaches to exairrining maintained on a Regional Tuna Since the requirement for the condition of stocks ex Fisheries Database (RTFD) by purse-seine vessels, at least, to ploited by the fishery and esti SPC, on behalf of the countries transship their catch in desig mating potential yields. of the region. nated ports, catches are now able to be more closely moni This approach generally re Although this has generally tored and sampled. The SPC's quires good statistical coverage worked well for Japanese ves Oceanic Fisheries Programme of catches, for a longtime series; sels and of course US vessels (OFP) has gradually been in good understanding of the size under the terms of the multilat creasing efforts to cross-check or age structure of the catch by eral treaty since June 1988, in landings and collect informa the various component gears practice the data coverage has tion on size composition of the and fleets; and good under been seriously incomplete. catch. With the benefit of EC standing of the biology/ecol High-seas data have not been funding, continuous scientific ogy of the species. required and are not supplied monitoring of the fishery
SFC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 WESTERN PACIFIC TUNA STOCKS — A STATUS REPORT
Much of the current informa catch of 1 million tonnes could It should be noted that, al tion on the status of the tuna be increased by 30 per cent and though the pole-and-line fish stocks in the Western Pacific still represent a conservative ery takes overwhelmingly skip therefore comes from results of safe harvest. jack (>90%), the purse-seine tagging experiments, combined fishery takes significant propor with some information on trends tions of yellowfin (25-^30%) and in catch rates. Tagging experi some bigeye. ments attempt to mark a rep resentative proportion of the much larger population, which would be impossible to study in its entirety, then look at the sub sequent pattern of recaptured fish in time and space to make inferences about the entire population. Recent experiments carried out by SPC's OFP saw 150,000 tunas released through out the Western Pacific fishery, Skipjack Qiatsuwonus pelamis) with 16,000 or 11 per cent of these eventually recaptured. Information from this work forms the basis of much of our current understanding of con dition of the tuna stocks in the western Pacific.
Status of stocks
Skipjack Yellowfin (Thunnus atbacares) Although skipjack catches have tripled since 1980, catch rates by purse-seine and pole-and-line fleets have generally continued to increase as welL Results of an earlier extensive SPC tagging programme, completed in 1981, suggested that the skipjack re source was very large indeed and only lightly exploited at that time. A potential yield of up to two million tonnes, dis tributed over the entire SPC area, was suggested. Bigeye {Thunnus obesus)
The recent SPC assessment, based on the release of nearly 100,000 skipjack with over 12,000 returns, has confirmed the results of the earlier work and indicates that the current level of exploitation is still low, but has increased in direct pro portion to the catch increase. It is predicted with considerable confidence that the record 1991 Alhacore {Thunnus alalunga)
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 WESTERN PACIFIC TUNA STOCKS — A STATUS REPORT
Yellowfin able (and much smaller) long- dications of potential overfish line catch, but, at least on a re ing. Recent analyses using age- The status of yellowfin stocks gional scale, it has been difficult structured models show a rela has attracted more concern, thus far to detect any negative tively steep decline in stock bio- given the steadily increasing impacts. mass in recent years, partly as catches overall but by purse a result of several years of poor seiners in particular, and also Bigeye recruitment (few young fish given the greater value of the entering the fishery). Continu catch taken by longline vessels. Although the bigeye catch in ation of fishing, even at present In 1993, the total yellowfin catch the SPC area is only a fraction lower levels, may run the risk exceeded 4DO,0001, with a record of that of yellowfin (15%), and of overfishing. purse seine catch of 292,0001. usually less than 150,0001 (by longline) in the entire Pacific, its Conclusions Purse-seine catch rates for yel high value commands atten lowfin remain variable but stable, tion. It is, however, the least Despite sharp increases in the but longline catch rates have well understood of the main catch of tropical tunas until 1991 been declining for some time. tuna species. and maintenance of similar Although this is a source of catches since then, stocks in the concern, it is, however, still not Catch rates slow no clear trends western Pacific appear gener possible to attribute this decline in the SPC area, although there ally to be in sound condition directly to the effects of fishing. has been Japanese concern re and capable of possibly sustain cently about declining catches ing further increases in catch. The recent tagging data again in the eastern Pacific. At face This leaves the Pacific Island provide the best picture of the value, the relatively low tag- countries well placed to extract average stock condition across return rates suggest that exploi a better return from this harvest, the equatorial area where most tation rates of juvenile bigeye especially by more direct par of the catch originates. These are lower than those of yellow ticipation. data suggest that current ex fin. Much more work needs to ploitation rates are still low to be done on this species. The fishery does need to con moderate, and that present tinue to be closely monitored, catches could probably be in Albacore and the results available, mostly creased further, possibly to as from tagging experiments so much as 600,0001 from the Although now out of the lime far, verified by other approaches. present 400,0001. Some unan light since various resolutions Such activity is planned for the swered questions remain about and restrictions on driftnet ac SPC's OFP, beginning this year. the effect of the increased purse- tivity have been implemented, seine catch on the more valu albacore interestingly show in
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 April 1989), which was re-reg A STUDY OF THE FISHERY istered under the French flaga s the Humboldt in 1989. The AND BIOLOGY OF BEKYX Humboldt fished commercially for a little over two years for SPLENDENS (ALFONSIN) IN Socalpi, a joint-venture com pany. It began operations on 12 NEW CALEDONIA May 1989 and ceased activity on 12 July 1991. Introduction by P. Lehodey and R. Crandperrin ORSTOM The Territory was anxious to New Caledonia's exclusive eco Noumea, New Caledonia monitor fishery developments nomic zone contains many sea- in its waters and granted mounts formed by volcanic ac ORSTOM (French Institute of tivity. Many are concentrated in The early and late 1980s were Scientific Research for Develop the south-eastern part of the an extremely important period ment in Cooperation) some zone, where they form two for the study of the fishery po funds to carry out research on characteristic alignments along tential of seamounts in the wa 'deep-water fisheries in New the eastern border of the Nor ters of New Caledonia. Three Caledonia's exclusive economic folk Ridge and along a southern Japanese vessels spent 223 days zone'. A two-year study com extension of the Loyalties Ridge fishing there. These were the prising two segments - com (Figure 1). Some have devel trawler Kaimon Ma.ru (26 No mercial fishery monitoring and oped into large guyots whose vember to 10 December 1980); scientific research cruises - took relatively flat tops permit the the dual-purpose boat Hokko place between March 1991 and exploitation of economic dem Maru, which was bottom long- March 1993. ersal species. In other parts of lining and light-fishing for the world, including the north squid (7 February to 5 May ern Pacific, fisheries have devel 1988); and the longliner Fukuju oped around such features. Maru (27 September 1988 to 29
"^Ofev M K- /'j' Tanrja Naw KIQiledonia
**
**•
v#s
Depth (m) below .-CP surface \°" 0-1000 1 ooo - zooa 2000 - 3000 *-<*\6> * s30oa
Figure 1: Main seamounts fished for alfonsin, Betyx splendens, by bottom longline in New Caledonia [from Lehodey et al, in press]
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 A STUDY OF THE FISHERY AND BIOLOGY OF BERYXSPLENDENS (ALFONS1N) IN NEW CALEDONIA
The commercial Beiyx splendens 24.93 kg for 100 hooks, with the fishing trips. This fall is, at least fishery mean individual weight being partly, the logical consequence 1.26 kg. of the fact that fishing started on An examination of the fishery's a virgin stock A detailed analy general characteristics revealed The other commercial species sis shows that the catch per unit that activities (a total of 710 days captured were Hyperoglyphe of effort (CPUE) recorded sea fishing) were almost entirely antardica (Antarctic butterfish) sonal fluctuations, connected concentrated in an area embrac and Pseudopentaceivs richardsoni with reproduction amongst ing the Norfolk Ridge and a (pelagic armourhead), which other factors. When these sea southern extension of the Loy were only caught over the two sonal fluctuations are eliminated, alties Ridge (693 days fishing). ridges, Norfolk and the south it may be noted that CPUE Total effort, in all areas and for ern Loyalties (H. antardica: stabilised overall during the sec the whole period concerned, 56.31; P. Richardsoni: 4.6 t). ond phase of exploitation. amounted to 4,691,635 hooks Maximum yields for these two (one or two longlines of ap species were recorded in au The scientific cruises proximately 4,000 hooks each tumn and spring. were usually deployed daily, as Eleven scientific cruises (Beiyx portrayed in Figure 2). Fishing effort (number of days cruises 1 to 11 aboard the RV spent fishing and number of Mis), accounting for 104 days at Total catches amounted to 12651, hooks deployed) virtually doubled sea, were carried out, mostly including 12471 of commercial when the fishery moved into its round the three seamounts B, D species. Catches of the target commercial phase. In the Nor and K The following sampling species, alfonsin (see Figure 3 folk Ridge-Loyalties Ridge and measurement apparatus on page 32), represented 11691, zone (Figure 1), it was concen was used: similar (but shorter) accounting for 92.4 per cent of trated around five seamounts bottom longline to that used the total catch by weight and (B, C„ D, J, and K). Catch fluc during the commercial cruises, 93.8 per cent of the weight of tuations roughly reflected ef bottom trawl, pelagic trawl, commercial species. The aver fort, although the correlation beam trawl, Waren dredge, fish age yield for this species was was less favourable for the last larval net, traps, temperature
swivel
*— line monofilament
3 floats m ' o n p // o n rn o a // en // cR 25m I 25 m
weight (1 kg) 2.20 m brand] line ------J- Detail of branch line ^iiiui JLjLl—tXj^-i—• ^1 ••• (20 hooks)
X sinta gmp-d sinkers (3 x 30 kg)
Figure 2: Longline gear used by commercial boats to catch alfonsin, Beryx splendens, in New Caledonia [from Lehodey et al, in press]
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 A STUDY OF THE FISHERY AND BIOLOGY OF BERYX SPLENDENS (ALFONSIN) IN NEW CALEDONIA
quent laboratory examination. Analysis of these samplings and fishery statistics has made it possible to outline the biology of Beryx splendens and the pa rameters essential for a study of its population dynamics.
Biology of Beryx splendens
Beryx splendens is a bentho-pe- lagic species. After a phase in which it forages in open waters (the pelagic zone) during the night, it returns to the bottom Figure 3: The target species, aifonsin, Beryx splendetts (the benthic zone) towards the end of the night. It is, therefore, and salinity recorder, and a interest) and representing 264 only capturable with the long- deep echo-sounder coupled to species was captured with the line and the bottom-trawl gears a global positioning system for various gear types used. Some at the end of the night and dur bathymetric work Hoplostethus mediterraneus and ing the day. However, it might H. gigas caught with the bot be capturable with a pelagic The sea-floor topography was tom-trawl prompted legitimate trawl during the night. determined by coupling the hopes thatH. atknticus (orange GPS data with the deep echo- roughy) might be present, in Beryx splendens otoliths are large sounder. Seamounts B, D and K view of the close relationship and show clear annul which can emerged as distinctly separate which would appear to exist be read to define the growth structures from their underly between the marine fauna of parameters. To estimate the ing ridge; they showed a fairly New Caledonia (Norfolk Ridge) time taken to form a nucleus, it flat summit and an average and that of New Zealand. was necessary to cut thin sec slope gradient of 20-25 per cent. tions for microscopic examina However, only exploratory fish tion. The males grow less rap The systematic use of a CTD ing at depths of between 800 idly than the females. Three- (conductivity, temperature, and 1500 m, which is not pos year-old male alfonsins have a depth) recorder revealed that sible with the RV Alts, could fork length of 24.5 cm, while the the isotherms occasionally rose prove this. Suitable vessels same measurement for females towards the surface. The hydro- would need to be chartered (pos is 24.9 cm. The difference be logical sections drawn from 108 sibly New Zealand, Australian tween the two sexes grows with sampling stations enabled us to or French). Such cruises could age (see Figure 4, page 33). determine the temperatures of also reveal the presence of other the water layers favoured by resources, Macrouridae in par At the age of 10 years, males Beryx; the deepest catches of ticular, currently exploited in reach a length of 37.7 an and adults (840 m) were recorded in both New Zealand and Austra females 40.7 cm. Maximum age water at a temperature of 6°C, lia. Of these 264 species, a large is thought to be approximately while the shallowest (500 m) number were recorded for the 20 years, with some individual were in a layer at 11°C. The first time in New Caledonia, specimens, however, being able youngest specimens (juveniles and some of them were new to to live longer and reach sizes of with a fork length of between 13 science. over 50 cm. These results are and 17 cm) were found at depths not dissimilar to those recorded of between 390 and 420 m, that During the scientific cruises, for the same species in New is at temperatures of between 8,678 fish measurements, 782 Zealand. 16° and 17°C. individual weighings, 4,785 gonad samplings, 5,038 stom Analysis of the macroscopic During the scientific cruises, a ach content samplings and 534 gonad maturation stages, to total of 21,713 fish (9,389 of com- otolith pair examinations were gether with the histological ob mercialinterest), weighing 15.31 performed. A total of 2,569 fish servations made on the thin (including 10 t of commercial was frozen whole for subse histological sections of gonad,
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 A STUDY OF THE FISHERY AND BIOLOGY OF BERYXSPLENDENS (ALFONSIN) IN NEW CALEDONIA
50 development until the juvenile stage might be favoured by a winter enrichment of the sur face layer.
Examination of 4,806 alfonsin stomach contents revealed the ,_, ** *™^?^?ir* «• • - jirf-^j-**-* « •• presence of 13,577 types of prey F v ~y it «*" «•»"' belonging to 205 species or yu- .v-:^"F." '* groups of species. Diet varied £ " Vi- - *i « £$ir'\ with time, season, size and c *.=!^#i " V depth. Prey was primarily bathy- genus includ catches of Beryx splendens using with observations recorded in ing Beryx. Their presence would bottom longlining provided the the northern hemisphere in the have made it possible to iden source data for length-fre Atlantic Ocean and also in the tify larval development areas quency distributions. Average Pacific, where spawning occurs and an examination of their size increases with depth; these during the northern summer. otoliths could have been used to observations can be reliably por On the other hand, they would confirm the duration of nucleus trayed by a 'bivariate normal' appear to be contradictory with formation. model which provides CPUE the results of research carried estimates in pure form for any out in New Zealand, according It may be that the development particular seamount. In addi to which reproduction occurred of juveniles occurs in places tion, these data indicate that from July to August, during the other than the habitat of the average size also varies with the southern winter. Fertility is be- adults. It is in fact possible to depth of the seamount sum tween270,000 and 700,000 eggs, imagine that larvae from eggs mits, which is taken into ac- depending on the size of the laid in the southern part of the countin a 'recursive' model that specimens; eggs, when spawned, zone drift towards the sea- permits crude CPUE estimates are about one millimetre in di mount to the north, where their for any given seamount.
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 A STUDY OF THE FISHERY AND BIOLOGY OF BERYX SPLENDENS (ALFONSIN) IN NEW CALEDONIA
Population dynamics oiBeryx ics (production models and Without information on stock splendens 'analytical' models) were used. boundaries, it would be wise Under the single-stockhypoth- policy to base the management An analysis of length-frequency esis, the exploitable virgin bio- of a new fishery on the hypoth distributions suggests that mass for the exploited zone esis of the existence of a single alfonsins migrate between sea- would be between 1,793 and stock, especially as the observa mounts. The hypothesis accord 2,2541; with the two-stock hy tions on the hydrological envi ing to which each seamount has pothesis, it would be between ronment (satellite observations a separate stock should not 2,119 and 3,9091. According to of chlorophyll concentrations, therefore be entertained. The the various models and apply analysis of available hydrologi exploited area is thought to ac ing the natural mortality rates cal data) have shown the pres commodate a single stock, or used, annual fishing effort ence of a significant eddy possibly two stocks, one corre could be estimated at between centred between the two ridges, sponding to each ridge (Nor 1.7 million and 6.7 million which could favour the drifting folk and South Loyalties). hooks. of juveniles or the migration of adults from one ridge to an The two conventional ap other. proaches to population dynam
ISLE OF PINES
1. The alfonsins gather in concentrated schools at dusk and then rise into the water layer where migrating predators hunt; at dawn, they decend again to the bottom. 2. As they grow, the alfonsins live at increasing depths. 3. The spawning area and the adult habitat are one and the same. Eggs and larvae d evelop in the surface layer. 4. Juveniles experience a pelagic development phase lasting several months when they experience rapid growth. 5. The juvenile growth area is separate from the adult growth area and also occurs at a shallower depth. 6. Recruitment to fishing grounds is thought to take place at an age of approximately 1.5 years.
Figure 5: Life history of alfonsin, Beryx splendens [from Lehodey, 1994]
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 A STUDY OF THE FISHERY AND BIOLOGY OF BERYX SPLENDENS (ALFONSIN) IN NEW CALEDONIA
If it is not a temporarily isolated Nouvelle-Caledonie, Service Kotlyar, A.N. (1987). Age and event, this eddy would clearly territorial de la marine mar- growth of Alfonrino, Beryx play an essential role in Beryx chande et des peches mariti.- splendens. }, lchthyol, 27 (2): splendens' life cycle (Figure 5). mes, 57 p. 104-111. The presence of a specific hy- diological circulation event Beverton, RJ.H. & SJ. Holt Laboute, P. (1989). Mission d'ob- linking the growth areas of ju (1957). On the dynamics of servation halieutique sur le veniles with those of adults exploited fish populations. palangrier japonais Fukuju could thus prove to be one of Fish. Invest. Minist. Agric. Maru du 21 novembre au 12 the conditions required for this Fish. Food G.B. (2 :Sea Fish.), decembre 1988. ORSTOM, species to thrive. Features of this 19; 533 p. Noumea : Rapp. missions : kind involving the main cur Sci. Mer : Biol, mar., 2,15 p. rents of the overall water circu Dubochkin A. S. & A. S. Kotlyar lation pattern have also been (1989). On the feeding of Lehodey, P. (1991). Mission described in other areas where Alfonrino (Beryx splendens). d'observations halieutiques the alfonsin is present, in the }. lchthyol, 29 (5): 1-8. sur le palangrier Humboldt. Atlantic and in the Pacific close Campagne de peche du 30 to Japan. Fox W. Jr (1970). An exponen mai au 12 juillet 1991. tial surplus-yield model for ORSTOM, Noumea: Rapp. During the years when exploi optimizing exploited fish missions : Sci. Mer. : Biol. tation was at its most intensive, populations. Trans. Am. Fish. mar., 8, 44 p. the fishing effort invested in the Soc., 99: 80-88. Beryx splendens fishery is esti Lehodey, P. (1994). Les monts mated to have reached a value Grandperrin, R. & P. Lehodey sous-marins de Nouvelle- dose to the optimum effort fig (1993). Etude de la pecherie Caledonie et leurs ressour- ure which, applying the overall de poissons profonds dans ces halieutiques. Tliese Doc- model, gives a maximum sus la zone economique de Nou torat, Universite frangaise du tainable yield of between 395 velle-Caledonie. Rapport fi Pacifique, 401 p. and 4681. Any increase in effort nal. Contrat de recherche above this level should there ORSTOM/Territoire deNou- Lehodey, P., P. Marchal & R. fore be monitored very care velle-Caledonie. Noumea : Grandperrin (1992). Model fully. ORSTOM, Conv. Sci. Mer, ling the distribution of alfon Biol, mar., 9, 325 p. sino, Beryx splendens, over The bottom longline was not the seamounts of New Cale the only gear type used. li the Henin, C. (1994). Rapport de donia. Fish. Bull US, 92 (4), fishery started afresh using donnees physiques de la in press. trawling (pelagic or bottom), capagne ZoNeCo-1 a bord the results obtained in this study du N.O. Aialante du 26 juin Massey, B. R. & P. L. Horn would make it possible to take au 15 juillet 1993. ORSTOM, (1990). Growth and age struc into account not just fishing ef Noumea. Rapp. Missions: Sci. ture of alfonsino (Beryx fort but also size at first capture MET : Oceanogr. Phys., 11,62 p. splendats) from the lower east (mesh size) for resource man coast, North Island, New agement purposes. Horn, P.L. & B. R. Massey Zealand. N.Z. J. Mar. Fresh- (1989). Biology and abun wat. Res., 24(1): 121-136. Further references dance of alfonsino and blue- nose off lower east coast Allen, K.R. (1966). Some meth North Island, New Zealand. ods for estimating exploited N.Z. Fish. Tedt. Rep., 15,31 p. populations. /. Fish. Res. Bd. Can., 23 (10): 1553-1574. Ikenouye, H. (1969). Age deter mination by otolith of a Japa Anon (1988). Rapport de la cam- nese Alfonsin, Beryxsplendens, pagne de peche a la palangre with special reference to profonde dans la zone eco- growth. /. Tokyo Univ. Fish., nomique de la Nouvelle-Ca 55 (2): 91-98. ledonie. Hokko Mam 107: fe- vrier-mai 1988. Territoire de
SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94 A STUDY OF THE FISHERY AND BIOLOGY OF BERYX SPLENDENS (ALFONSIN) IN NEW CALEDONIA
Masuzawa, T„ Y. Kurata & K Uchida, R. N. & D. T. Tagami Yamamoto, K (1986). A review Onishi (1975). Results of (1984). Groundfish fisheries of the fishery and catch per group study on populations and research in the vicinity cruise for alfonsin stocks in of demersal fishes in water of seamounts in the North the vicinity of Izu Islands. In: from Sagami Bay to south Pacific Ocean. Mar. Fish. Rev., Uchida, R. Nv S. Hayaai & G. ern Izu Islands - population 46 (12) : 1-17. W. Boehlert (eds.), Environ ecology of Japanese alf onsin ment and resources of sea- and other demersal fishes. mounts in the North Pacific, Japan Aquatic Resources NOAA Techn. Rep. NMFS. 43: Conservation Association, 87-91. Fishery Research Paper, 28:105 *> p. (English translation held at Fisheries Research Centre Library, MAR. P.O. Box 197, Wellington, New Zealand).
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SPC Fisheries Newsletter #71 — October/December '94